BACLIFF, GALVESTON COUNTY - NRG Energy Inc. has begun work on a 360-megawatt, natural gas-fired peaking plant on a 230-acre site. Upon completion, the plant is expected to power more than 70,000 homes during peak time.

The site of the new facility is part of the former PH Robinson power plant, which was decommissioned in 2009 and demolished in 2012. Upon build out, natural gas will power six GE 7E economical, fast-start combustion turbines.

In addition, consistent with Texas’ water constraints, the units will not require water for cooling purposes and will have the potential to help integrate wind and solar power into the ERCOT grid.

The facility is being built by a partnership between BTEC Turbines and Rockland Capital for $400 per kilowatt. The price is significantly lower than that of a new peaking plant because the gas turbines will be relocated from a site in New Albany.

Furthermore, NRG has two other 850-megawatt facilities planned for the Houston region. The company received a green light from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for one of them and is expecting approval for the second one in early 2015.